RedStorm anglers hook spot in Top 25 rankings

Rio Grande Sports Information
     RIO GRANDE, Ohio - The first ranking of the season has been released for the Bass Pro Shops School of the Year and the University of Rio Grande finds itself sitting in the Top 25, landing in 23rd place.
     "We have a mix of experience and young talent on the team this year as our program continues to grow and we're looking to continue to watch our anglers and program mature and cultivate in the classroom and on the water," said Rio Grande head coach Tom Sutton. "None of this would be possible without the support from the University, our sponsors, and our faithful following."
     The Top 25 ranking marks the second time in program history that the feat has been achieved. The first was when the fishing program was a club sport.
     "Fishing is such a humbling sport and our anglers and entire program have been working hard to get to this point over the past four years," Sutton added. "I assure you that we'll continue to work hard, do things the right way and represent our program, faithful following, university, sponsors and alumni with pride and do our best to maintain our team goal of a respectable school of the year ranking by year end in this very tough field of universities and college programs. 'Make Adjustments, Not Excuses' has been - and will continue to be - our mantra for the Redstorm fishing program."
     Rio Grande was scheduled to take its freshly-minted ranking into The Bass Pro Shops Big Bass Bash, presented by Berkley, last weekend at Kentucky Lake in Henry County and Paris, Tenn.
     Over 630 anglers were registered to compete in the event, including 23 of the Top 25 ranked teams in the ACA's Poll for the Bass Pro Shops School of the Year presented by Abu Garcia.